Teen who killed boy in park has sentence increased

A man who was involved in the fatal stabbing of a teenage boy has had his sentence increased by the Court of Appeal.

Harleigh Hepworth, 17, died in March 2024 after being stabbed in the heart in a Wolverhampton park.

Jovarn Esterine, 18, was sentenced to seven years for Harleigh's manslaughter in January and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a life sentence for murder.

Following an appeal by the Solicitor General, Esterine's sentence was quashed on Friday and replaced by a nine-year term.

Harleigh, who was from Rugeley, Staffordshire, was killed on 7 March 2024 after travelling to Wolverhampton with a friend.

They went to West Park, where police said Esterine, who was 17 at the time, and the other teenager asked to borrow the pair's phones.

When Harleigh asked for his device back, he was stabbed in the chest.

Police said that during the attack, Esterine held Harleigh's friend back to stop him from getting involved, before holding a knife to his chest and threatening to kill him unless he handed over the passcode to his phone.

They then made off with the phone and fled the scene.

Passers-by gave Harleigh first aid, but he died at the scene.

Esterine was convicted of manslaughter in November, while the 17-year-old was convicted of murder.

They were both also found guilty of carrying a knife and robbery, and were sentenced in January.

Following his killers' sentencing, Harleigh's family said he had "a great sense of humour, he was funny, and he was polite" with an "infectious smile".

A victim impact statement read to the Court of Appeal said they would never have the chance to see Harleigh grow up.

The appeal to increase Esterine's sentence was brought by the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, who said she was shocked by the "brutal violence" in the case.

"Jovarn Esterine played an important role in Harleigh's killing before callously leaving him to die on the ground," she said. "Harleigh had his whole life ahead of him and I would like to offer my sympathies to Harleigh's family and friends.

"The court has quite rightly increased Jovarn Esterine's sentence.

"This government will not tolerate mindless violence and I will intervene to ensure justice is served."

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